Scream queen

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Actress Fay Wray (1907–2004) is considered to be one of the first scream queens

A scream queen (a wordplay on screen queen)<ref>Borseti, Francesco. It Came from the 80s!: Interviews with 124 Cult Filmmakers. McFarland, 2016, p. 197</ref> is an actress who is prominent and influential in horror films, either through a notable appearance or recurring roles. The title is a buzzword used by critics and has gained positive and negative responses. Scream King is the male version of the title. Notable scream queen examples include Fay Wray, Neve Campbell, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mia Goth, Shawnee Smith, Bipasha Basu, Angela Bassett and Linnea Quigley.

Definition

The term "scream queen" is more specifically used to refer to the attractive young damsel-in-distress<ref name="USA">Template:Cite news</ref> characters that have appeared in a number of films in the horror genre. Lloyd Kaufman, co-founder of Troma Entertainment, noted that being a scream queen is "more than just crying and having ketchup thrown on you. You not only have to be attractive, but you also have to have a big brain. You have to be frightened, you have to be sad, you have to be romantic."<ref name="USA"/>

Debbie Rochon, often described as a scream queen herself, wrote in an article originally published in GC Magazine that "a true Scream Queen isn't The Perfect Woman. She's sexy, seductive, but most importantly attainable to the average guy, or so it would seem."<ref name="Rochon">Template:Cite web</ref> Although the earlier scream queens might be women that "just had to look pretty and shriek a lot until the hero of the film got around to save them." The later scream queens showcase women worrying about something other than a guy...unless said guy is the one trying to kill them, with some of them wreaking vengeance by defeating the villain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Beginnings (1920s-60s)

The prominence of women in horror films dates back to the silent movie era, with notable examples including the productions The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922). George Feltenstein, film historian and senior vice president of theatrical catalog marketing at Warner Home Video, states, "Women screaming in terror has been a Hollywood mainstay – even when films were silent".<ref name="USA"/> Fay Wray, an actress starring in King Kong (1933), is sometimes referred to as the "very first scream queen".<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Anne Gwynne, Chris Pine's grandmother, is known for scream queen roles in the 1930s and 1940s.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> Janet Leigh, playing Marion in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), is regarded as "one of the most iconic<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref>" scream queens in horror film history.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref>

Veronica Cartwright was also a prominent scream queen of the 1970s; however, she found her beginnings as a scream queen in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds in the 1960s. Later in the 1970s she appeared in the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers as well as Alien in 1979.

1970s

Sandra Peabody, shown as Mari Collingwood in The Last House on the Left (1972), would become primarily known for her horror film roles.

Four actresses in the 1970s became seminal examples of a "scream queen" for the decade: Sandra Peabody, who portrayed Mari Collingwood in The Last House on the Left (1972) then went to appear in Voices of Desire (1972) and Legacy of Satan (1974). Marilyn Burns, who portrayed Sally Hardesty in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) would go onto appearing in Helter Skelter (1976) and Eaten Alive (1977). Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Psycho actress Janet Leigh, portrayed Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978).<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> Curtis has been called the "ultimate 'scream queen'".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ugo">Template:Cite web</ref>

Dee Wallace appeared in Wes Craven's 1977 horror film The Hills Have Eyes before going on to establish herself as a scream queen in the 1980s by appearing in The Howling (1981), Cujo (1983) and Critters (1986).<ref name="Argento">Template:Citation</ref> Daria Nicolodi played the role of the scream queen in most of her films directed by Dario Argento (Deep Red, Inferno, Phenomena, Terror at the Opera).

1980s

The success of Halloween revived slasher films during the late 1970s and 1980s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Examples include Terror Train and Prom Night, in which Jamie Lee Curtis would again play the scream queen; Friday the 13th, the first entry to have both a female antagonist (Betsy Palmer) and protagonist (Adrienne King);<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and A Nightmare on Elm Street, now considered a slasher classic,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which introduced supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger, and whose leading actress, Heather Langenkamp, was dubbed a scream queen, and went on to become one of the most influential.

Linnea Quigley was a scream queen during the 1980s, appearing specifically in low-budget and cult-classic films such as Graduation Day, Silent Night, Deadly Night, Return of the Living Dead and Night of the Demons. British actress Catriona MacColl became a scream queen after appearing in three Italian horror films directed by Lucio Fulci, City of the Living Dead (1980), The Beyond (1981) and House by the Cemetery (1981).

1990s

Neve Campbell of Scream fame.

During the 1990s, Debbie Rochon starred in dozens of Troma Production horror films and was voted by Draculina magazine as its "Scream Queen of the Decade". Sheryl Lee played murder victims Laura Palmer and Maddy Ferguson in the TV series Twin Peaks (1990–91) and spin-off film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and has been described as a "scream queen", in particular for scenes in the otherworldly Black Lodge.<ref name=":13">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":14">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="collider">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":15">Template:Cite web</ref>

Neve Campbell's first American feature film was the cult horror classic The Craft (1996). She later starred as Sidney Prescott in the Scream film series. Jennifer Love Hewitt was labeled a scream queen after starring as Julie James in the I Know What You Did Last Summer films.<ref name="wonderwall.com">Template:Cite web</ref> The first film of that trilogy also had a starring role for Sarah Michelle Gellar as Helen Shivers, who went on to appear in other horror films made during the 1990s and new millennium, including Scream 2 and The Grudge film series.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

2000s

In 2005, Shauna Macdonald starred in The Descent, which established her as a scream queen<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and for which she was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Actress.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Elisha Cuthbert starred in the horror film House of Wax (2005) and Captivity (2007), gaining the status by from films.<ref name=":16">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Erica Leerhsen has been called a scream queen because of her roles in films like Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), and Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007).<ref name="leerhsen">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":17">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, USA Today published an article listing on modern scream queens interviewing actresses Sheri Moon Zombie, Jaimie Alexander, Andrea Bogart, Mercedes McNab, Tiffany Shepis and Cerina Vincent.<ref name="USA" /> Since 2007 and her appearance in Halloween, Danielle Harris has increased her genre work, being subsequently called "horror's reigning scream queen" by the NY Daily News.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010s

Bipasha Basu has been referred as "Bollywood's Scream Queen" due to her contributions to horror in India with her blockbuster horror movies like Raaz (2002) and Raaz 3D (2012), as well as films like Aatma (2013), Creature 3D (2014), and Alone (2015).<ref name=":18">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2014, Maika Monroe achieved a career breakthrough with her leading role as Jay Height in the horror film It Follows. She continued making contributions to the genre with appearances in The Guest (2014), Villains (2019), Watcher and Significant Other (both 2022). A decade later, the release of Longlegs (2024) and its subsequent success further cemented her status as a scream queen. As of 2025, Monroe is set to star in a remake of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Brides and They Follow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Indonesian actress Tara Basro has been described as a "scream queen" for her roles in Joko Anwar's films Satan's Slaves (2017) and Impetigore (2019).<ref name=":30">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":31">Template:Cite web</ref> Australian actress Samara Weaving solidified her status as a scream queen with her performance in the commercially and critically successful Ready or Not (2019) and its sequel.<ref name=":5" />

2020s

Mia Goth of X fame

Melissa Barrera has starred in the slasher franchise Scream, the horror comedy Abigail (2024), and the romantic comedy-horror Your Monster (2024), establishing herself as a scream queen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":20">Template:Cite web</ref> With Kathryn Newton's roles in Abigail and Lisa Frankenstein (2024) both being praised, she has been highlighted as a modern scream queen.<ref name="Newton">Template:Cite web</ref> Mia Goth having started in several horror movies previously before her breakout roles in the X trilogy (2022–2024), cemented her as a scream queen to a wider audience.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jenna Ortega starred in the slasher films X and Scream (both 2022), and is also known as a scream queen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sophie Thatcher of cannibalistic TV series Yellowjackets (2021–) fame, gained traction as a scream queen after her performances in The Boogeyman (2023) and Heretic (2024).<ref name=":21">Template:Cite web</ref>

List

Years active Actor First horror film (or series) Notes
1920–1980 Fay Wray<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> King Kong (1933) Sometimes referred to as the "very first scream queen"<ref name=":0" />
1939–1970 Anne Gwynne<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Black Friday (1940) Her last known horror film: House of Frankenstein.
1946–2004 Janet Leigh<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6" /> Psycho (1960) Also known from The Fog, mother of Jamie Lee Curtis
1951–2007 Betsy Palmer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Friday the 13th Best known for Friday the 13th
1951–present Cassandra Peterson<ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Elvira's Movie Macabre (1981–1986) Best known as a horror hostess and from Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
1958–present Veronica Cartwright<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Birds Best known for the Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
1958–present Barbara Steele<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Black Sunday Best known for Dark Shadows
1965–present Jodie Foster<ref name=":26">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":27" /> The Silence of the Lambs Best known for The Silence of the Lambs
1965–present Sandra Peabody<ref name=":23">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":24">Template:Cite web</ref> The Last House on the Left Best known for The Last House on the Left
1968–present Sissy Spacek<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> Carrie Best known for Carrie
1968–present Adrienne Barbeau<ref name="Orange" /><ref name=":5" /> The Fog Best known for Argo
1969, 1987–2002 Bridget Fonda<ref name=":23" /> Frankenstein Unbound Best known for Lake Placid and Single White Female
1969–present Kathy Bates<ref name=":9">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":12" /> My Best Friend Is a Vampire Best known for Misery and several roles in the American Horror Story franchise
1970–present Isabelle Adjani<ref name=":23" /> The Tenant Best known for Possession
1970–2014 Marilyn Burns<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":19">Template:Cite web</ref> Texas Chainsaw Massacre Best known for Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise
1970–2020 Daria Nicolodi<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":12" /> Deep Red Best known for her work directed by Dario Argento
1970–2002, 2022–2024 Shelley Duvall<ref name="Curiel">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Orange">Template:Cite web</ref> The Shining Best known for The Shining
1971–present Sigourney Weaver<ref name="Orange"/><ref name=":8" /> Alien (1979) Best known for the Alien franchise
1974–present JoBeth Williams<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":24" /> Poltergeist Best known for the Poltergeist franchise
1974–2001 Dana Kimmell<ref name=":15" /> Friday the 13th Part III Best known for Friday the 13th Part III
1974–present Dee Wallace<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Best known for Cujo (1983)
1976–present Jessica Lange<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":12" /> King Kong (1976) Best known for Cape Fear and several roles in the American Horror Story franchise
1977–present Jamie Lee Curtis<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Curiel" /> Halloween (1978) Best known for the Halloween franchise; daughter of Janet Leigh
1978–present Catriona MacColl<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> City of the Living Dead Best known for The Beyond
1978–present Linnea Quigley<ref name="Orange" /><ref name=":5" /> Psycho from Texas Best known for Return of the Living Dead
1980–2004, 2021–present Amy Steel<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Friday the 13th Part 2 Best known for Friday the 13th Part 2
1980–present Laurie Holden<ref name=":29">Template:Cite web</ref> Silent Hill Best known for The Walking Dead television series
1981–present Sarah Michelle Gellar<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> I Know What You Did Last Summer Best known for the Buffy The Vampire Slayer television series and the Scooby Doo film series
1981–1988 Heather O'Rourke<ref name="Curiel"/> Poltergeist Best known for the Poltergeist franchise
1982–present Geena Davis<ref name=":23" /> Transylvania 6-5000 Best known for The Fly and Beetlejuice
1982–present Debbie Rochon<ref name="etonline.com" /><ref name="Rochon" /><ref name=":22">Template:Cite web</ref> Lurkers Best known for Vampire's Kiss and several roles in Troma Entertainment films
1983–present Heather Langenkamp<ref name=":9" /><ref name="Orange" /> A Nightmare on Elm Street Best known for A Nightmare On Elm Street franchise
1983–present Virginia Madsen<ref name="slashfilm.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Zombie High Best known for the Candyman film series
1983–present Felissa Rose<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sleepaway Camp Best known for the Sleepaway Camp series
1984–present Ashley Laurence<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="etonline.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Hellraiser Best known for the Hellraiser franchise
1984–present Barbara Crampton<ref name=":5" /><ref name="etonline.com" /> Body Double Best known for Re-Animator
1984–present Courteney Cox<ref name=":9" /><ref name="Curiel" /> Scream Best known from the Scream franchise
1984–present Angela Bassett<ref name=":23" /> Innocent Blood Best known for several roles in the American Horror Story television series
1984–present Jennifer Tilly<ref name=":7" /> Bride of Chucky Best known for the Child's Play franchise
1985–present Danielle Harris<ref name="Orange" /><ref name=":5" /> Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Best known for the Halloween franchise
1986–present Sheryl Lee<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name="collider" /> Twin Peaks television series Best known for the Twins Peaks television series
1986–present Asia Argento<ref name=":12" /> Demons 2 Best known for Land of the Dead
1986–present Naomi Watts<ref name="Curiel" /><ref name="etonline.com" /> Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Best known for The Ring
1986–present Lili Taylor<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27" /> The Addiction Best known for The Haunting and The Conjuring
1986–present Winona Ryder<ref name="slashfilm.com"/> Beetlejuice Best known for Beetlejuice and the Stranger Things television series
1988–present Shawnee Smith<ref name=":5" /><ref name="etonline.com" /> The Blob Best known for Saw (2004)
1988–present Milla Jovovich<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref> Resident Evil Best known for Resident Evil film series
1989–present Jennifer Love Hewitt<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> I Know What You Did Last Summer Best known for the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise
1989–present Katharine Isabelle<ref name=":7" /> Disturbing Behavior Best known for Ginger Snaps
1989–2019 Emily Perkins<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It (1990) Best known for Ginger Snaps
1990–present Toni Collette<ref name="etonline.com" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Sixth Sense Best known for Hereditary
1990–present Rose McGowan<ref name=":23" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Scream Best known for Scream
1990–present Christina Ricci<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Addams Family Best known for Sleepy Hollow and the Yellowjackets television series
1991–present Meagan Good<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Venom (2005) Best known for Saw V
1991–present Anna Faris<ref name=":28">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":26" /> Lovers Lane Best known for the Scary Movie franchise
1991–present Neve Campbell<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> The Dark Best known for the Scream franchise
1994–present Sarah Paulson<ref name="Orange" /> American Horror Story Murder House Best known for several roles in the American Horror Story series and Run
1995–2008 Rei Hance<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":24" /> The Blair Witch Project Best known for The Blair Witch Project film series
1996–present Bipasha Basu<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":18" /> Raaz (2002) Best known for No Entry
1996–present Elisha Cuthbert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Are You Afraid of the Dark? Best known for House of Wax
1996–present Vera Farmiga<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="etonline.com" /> Joshua Best known for The Conjuring Universe franchise
1996–present Tiffany Shepis<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Terror Firmer Best known for Tromeo and Juliet
1996–present Sheri Moon Zombie<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="USA" /> House of 1000 Corpses Best known for the Firefly trilogy
1997–present Regina Hall<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":28" /> Scary Movie Best known for the Scary Movie franchise
1997–present Mary Elizabeth Winstead<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="etonline.com" /> Wolf Lake Best known for The Ring, Final Destination, and Cloverfield
1999–present Ali Larter<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="etonline.com" /> House on Haunted Hill (1999) Best known for Final Destination and Resident Evil
1999–present Brandy Norwood<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) Best known for The Front Room
1999–present Erica Leerhsen<ref name=":17" /><ref name="leerhsen" /> Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 Best known for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
2001–present Emma Roberts<ref name="Curiel" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Scream 4 Best known for several roles in the American Horror Story franchise and Scream Queens
2001–present Kathryn Newton<ref name="Newton" /> Paranormal Activity 4 Best known for Abigail and Lisa Frankenstein
2002–present Jodelle Ferland<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Carrie (2002) Best known for Case 39 and Silent Hill
2003–present Teresa Palmer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wolf Creek Best known for A Discovery of Witches
2004–present Chloë Grace Moretz<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":19" /> The Amityville Horror (2005) Best known for Dark Shadows (2013)
2004–present Riley Keough<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="etonline.com" /> Kiss of the Damned Best known for The Lodge
2004–present Allison Williams<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Orange" /> Get Out Best known for M3GAN
2006–present Kate Siegel<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Oculus Best known for Gerald's Game and The Haunting of Hill House television miniseries
2006–present Kiernan Shipka<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Carriers Best known for the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina television series and Totally Killer
2008–present Samara Weaving<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":11" /> Ash vs Evil Dead (2015) series Best known for Ready or Not
2009–present Sydney Sweeney<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":25" /> The Ward Best known for Immaculate
2010–present Jessica Rothe<ref name=":27">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Happy Death Day Best known for the Happy Death Day film series
2011–present Jane Levy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Curiel" /> Evil Dead (2013) Best known for Don't Breathe
2011–present Melissa Barrera<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":20" /> Scream (2022) Best known for the Scream franchise
2011–present Taissa Farmiga<ref name="etonline.com" /><ref name=":12" /> American Horror Story Murder House Best known for several roles in the American Horror Story franchise and The Nun
2011–present Julia Garner<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Last Exorcism Part II Best known for Weapons
2011-present Tara Basro<ref name=":30" /><ref name=":31" /> Satan's Slaves Best known for Impetigore
2012–present Nell Tiger Free<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The First Omen Best known for the Servant television series
2012–present Sadie Sink<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fear Street Part Two: 1978 Best known for the Stranger Things television series
2012–present Mckenna Grace<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":11" /> Suburban Gothic Best known for Annabelle Comes Home
2012–present Olivia Cooke<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Secret of Crickley Hall television series Best known for the Bates Motel television series
2012–present Maika Monroe<ref name="Curiel" /><ref name=":5" /> It Follows Best known for Longlegs
2012–present Jenna Ortega<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":11" /> Insidious: Chapter 2 Best known for the Wednesday (2022) television series
2012–present Lulu Wilson<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="etonline.com" /> Ouija: Origin of Evil Best known for Annabelle: Creation
2013–present Jasmin Savoy Brown<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Yellowjackets television series Best known for the Yellowjackets television series and the Scream franchise
2013–present Anya Taylor-Joy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":5" /> The Witch Best known for The Menu
2013–present Mia Goth<ref name="Orange" /><ref name=":5" /> A Cure For Wellness Best known for the X film series
2013–present Lupita Nyong'o<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Us Best known for A Quiet Place: Day One
2014–present Victoria Pedretti<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Haunting of Hill House Best known for the You television series
2014–present Cailee Spaeny<ref name=":25">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Craft: Legacy Best known for Alien: Romulus
2016–present Sophie Thatcher<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":21" /> The Boogeyman Best known for the Yellowjackets television series and Heretic
2017–present Hunter Schafer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cuckoo Best known for Cuckoo

See also

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References

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